Archaeological Sites

Archaeological Sites

Zimmer, C. (2018). In the Bones of a Buried Child, Signs of a Massive Human Migration to the Americas. New York Times. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/03/science/native-americans-beringia-siberia.html

This article discusses unearthing of one of the oldest DNA genome and remains of an ancient Native American from an archaeological site. Besides, the report gives essential details about the Upward Sun River archaeological site. Dr Ben A. Potter discovered Zimmer (2018) details that the Upward Sun River site located in central Alaska at the Tanana River Valley in 2006. Dr Potter is one of the prominent archaeologists and “an associate professor of anthropology at the University of Alaska.”  The New York Times reports that in 2010, the archaeologist together with his colleagues at the university unearthed the remains of a “six weeks old infant buried on a bed in an ancient burial pit.” Of importance, the newspaper states that remains lay uninterrupted for about 11,500 years. A few days after the discovery of the remains, the archaeologists discovered the infant’s genome. The genome was the second-oldest genome of a human ever found in North America. Dr Potter and his team assert that the genome gives significant knowledge on how people, including the ancestors of the current “Native Americans, arrived in the Western Hemisphere.”.

The archaeologists made their claims from the DNA that showed that the early settlers lived in this region for many years (thousands) before their disappearance. This archaeological research supports the notion that migrants from Siberia settled the Americas. David Reich, another famous geneticist, hailing from the Harvard Medical School but not part of the archaeological study, commends this particular genetic evidence as a historical milestone. Notably, Reich argues that until this discovery, there has never been such a DNA of any Native American. Digging into the hearth, the archaeologists discovered cremated bones of about 3-year child adding up to two discoveries. As observed from the DNA, the researchers conclude that about 35% of the Native Americans are traceable to an extinct group of people, the ancient north Eurasians. Dr Willerslev, a co-author of the study, asserts that “Native Americans originated somewhere in northeast Siberia” and has close descent with the Chinese.

Reed, L. (2019 May 22). Archaeologists excavate possible slave cabin along Maryland’s Underground Railroad route. The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved from https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/bs-md-cabin-archaeology-20190522-story.html

This article discusses excavation efforts by the State Highway Administration (SHA) of Maryland Department of Transportation on the Bayly Cabin archaeological site. According to The Baltimore Sun, Bayly Cabin located behind one of the Cambridge’s oldest homes in Maryland is believed to be one of the sites that were used to house slaves working at the Underground Railroad. The archaeologists recovered various items including a toy pug, a pill bottle, and a stone that looked like an axe and other things. Headed by the SHA’s principal archaeologist, Dr Julie Schablitsky, the archaeologists worked tirelessly to determine the truth revolving around Bayly Cabin.  The excavation works began in September 2018 to establish “when was first used as a home.”

Arguably, Bayly Cabin dates back in the 18^th century and that a newspaper article on rewarding of a slave woman of 1857 claims that the cabin was a slave quarter.  Nonetheless, the state’s archaeologists excavate and piece all facts together to prove the claims. In this exercise, the archaeologists plan to examine the soil to establish the duration that the deposits have been laying at the site. According to the chief archaeologist, some of the items found demonstrated the extent of demons’ exorcism and other practices of the people for whom history has been forgotten. Among the most significant findings of the study was the recovery of an axe-shaped whetstone at the southwest side of the cabin. The archaeologists argued that the placement of this item relates to the spiritual practice element, Shango of a West African religion that was used for home protection against lightning fires. The team hopes that the DNA test of the tobacco pipes will reveal a significant connection between the descendants of the residents in the cabin and their ancient families. The archaeologists argue that the discoveries will help them understand why Americans have racial differences.

Ruane, M.E. (2018, July 24). Archaeologists have found the remains of one of Jamestown’s early settlers. Now they have to prove he is who they think he is. The Washington Post. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/archaeologists-have-found-the-remains-of-one-of-jamestowns-early-settlers-now-they-have-to-prove-he-is-who-they-think-he-is/2018/07/23/81c71708-8901-11e8-85ae-511bc1146b0b_story.html

This article discusses the excavation at Jamestown Grave archaeological site at Jamestown Virginia. This historical, archaeological activity was an initiative by Jamestown Rediscovery, a not-for-profit organization in Jamestown, Virginia. Mary Anna Hartley and the organization’s director, David M. Givens, aimed to discover Sir George Yardley’s grave and his remains. Notably, Sir George was the first slave-owners in the United States and the individual who governed “the first representative government assembly in English America.” The archaeologists managed to unearth a skeleton handsomely laid in an official English burial fashion with the hands at each side and palms down. At the same time, the body was supposedly covered in a cloak.

Although other parts, including the ribs, legs and the arms were discovered, the skull, which was critical to the entire excavation, could not be traced. However, they used the teeth with the help of other archaeologists to determine whether the remains belonged to Sir George Yeardley. The position of the remains at the front of the churchyard and the fashion of the rest hinted that the remains were from a royal family. Besides, the remains and the archaeological site dated since the mid-17^th century. However, further analysis was inevitable to determine whether the remains were for Yeardley.